I can't comment about oil consumption because I have only done 150 miles in the two days I have had the bike. However, I can say that the oil level in the sight glass shows no variation no matter how I have stopped the engine, even when started for a minute or two and then stopped - previous boxers would show NO oil in the sight glass under these conditions.

Conclusion? maybe we will have no more messing about with 'apparent' changes in oil level. In an earlier post of mine I wondered whether these inconsistencies were due to oil being trapped in the oil cooler and associated pipework.

You can read the forums as well as I can. Your individual experience does not make a very good statistical sample. There is a lot of variability in the boxer engines and some burn a lot of oil. Overall, I'd say boxers burn quite a bit more than other engines. Hopefully the new one will be improved in that regard.

Click to expand...

Mine was burning through about a quart every few thousand miles when it was below 20k miles... It ain't doing that anymore at 39k.

As a "little guy" (5-8, 145), whenever I've test-ridden GS's, I've always been somewhat intimidated by the "largeness" of the bike when pushing it around (e.g. turning it around in my garage).

So a question for those of you who have test-ridden the new GS: what is your opinion of the "largeness" of the bike when manually pushing it around? Does it feel in any way "lighter" or "smaller" than the previous GS? About the same? Even larger? I know it's a tad heavier, but perhaps all mass is not created equal...

--Doc

Click to expand...

From a smaller guy to a small guy. I ordered mine with low suspension. It is lower than my current beamer.
And I weigh about the same as you and are (if I can convert it correctly) about 5"7 (or even a little less).

The SW-Motech crash guards on my 08 GS prevented damage to the head when I got blown over by a 60+ mph wind gust while stopped and on the shoulder of a road while officiating a bike race a couple years ago. The guards and my Jesse bags were essentially unscathed after the tip over. I don't think Toutech's engine guards would've helped in this instance.

Will I get a set of engine guards if I get a new GS? You betcha. Of course, YMMV.

I have both the cylinder guards and the crash bars on order, don't know if it is overkill or not but I figured I would give it a shot (as well as a few other smaller things, like the radiator guards). I had the upper crash bars on preorder as well but I couldn't get over the look of them so I took them off my order. Last I heard, everything in my order is in stock other than the crash bars, but it doesn't matter as it is looking more and more like it will be mid-May before I see my bike.

The SW-Motech crash guards on my 08 GS prevented damage to the head when I got blown over by a 60+ mph wind gust while stopped and on the shoulder of a road while officiating a bike race a couple years ago. The guards and my Jesse bags were essentially unscathed after the tip over. I don't think Toutech's engine guards would've helped in this instance.

Will I get a set of engine guards if I get a new GS? You betcha. Of course, YMMV.

Click to expand...

Same thing... twice.
One car drove out from STOP sign right ON TO me.
40 days later, police car opened the door right in front of me hitting it EDGE first (not 90 degrees open!)...

In both cases boxer then my H&B crash bars saved the day.
(and I still have right foot)

So antiquated! Haha, just messin with ya Rich and Paul! You guys got your GS's before us rednecks in the states

Click to expand...

No, you are right - antiquated and typically British. In a year or two they will finally be unnecessary. They can be a pain to fit on some bikes, legally in the UK they should be fitted on the left hand side and forward of the handle bars - what a palaver

As you say, we have got our bikes. Bad news is we are surrounded by snow, most unusual for us at this time of year.

No, you are right - antiquated and typically British. In a year or two they will finally be unnecessary. They can be a pain to fit on some bikes, legally in the UK they should be fitted on the left hand side and forward of the handle bars - what a palaver

As you say, we have got our bikes. Bad news is we are surrounded by snow, most unusual for us at this time of year.

Click to expand...

This pic was taken yesterday in North Wales about 25 miles from where I live. It is likely to be as bad over the Easter weekend

I read somewhere that they will no longer need to be displayed. Not sure exactly when but in the next year or two. The other change will be that part 2 of our driving licences will be abolished.

I am a one bike man so no, that is not me

Click to expand...

Ah, good, I suppose with all the ANPR around there's no real need now.

I met a BMW collector at the organic farm shop just down from the Pondarosa last year on his pristine BCR, he was from your neck of the woods and a customer of Southport super bikes, I thought it could have been you.